Bhubaneswar: Odisha celebrated the 77th State-level Republic Day with grandeur and patriotic spirit at Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati unfurled the National Flag at 8.30AM and took the ceremonial salute during the parade. The venue was festively decorated and echoed with patriotic songs and police band performances, according to an official statement.
The governor was received by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, DGP Shri Y. B. Khurania, and Deputy Director General, NCC, Commodore Vikram Singh, who escorted him to the flag post.
A total of 46 contingents from defence services, police units, and educational institutions took part in the parade. The march-past was supervised by SDPO Rakesh Kumar Sahoo, with Sarat Chandra Jani, Deputy Commandant of the 1st IR Battalion, Koraput, serving as Parade Commander.
Cultural programmes followed the parade, featuring traditional performances such as Sahijata, Pasumukha, Bada Ghoda, Dolajata Patuara, and a Santali dance, presented by renowned cultural groups from across the state.
Government department tableaux drew public attention by showcasing Odisha’s development initiatives and flagship schemes. Departments including Agriculture, Health, Energy, Tourism, Mission Shakti, School and Mass Education, Housing and Urban Development, and others participated in the display.
Senior officials, including additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, commissioners-cum-secretaries, and senior police officers, attended the programme.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the 77th District-Level Republic Day celebration at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, where he took the salute during the ceremonial parade.
On the occasion, the CM paid tribute to India’s freedom fighters and honoured the martyrs who laid down their lives for the nation’s unity and security. He said the Republic stands as a reminder of the sacrifices that shaped the country and the responsibility to safeguard its democratic values.
